Assisted suicide law explained

The California End of Life Option Act becomes law in June. On June 1, in the Oakmont Berger Center, Compassion & Choices speaker Carole van Aelstyn will explain the new law and answer questions regarding assisted suicide and Compassion & Choices services. Her presentation begins at 3 p.m.

van Aelstyn, BSN, is a retired nurse who has worked to develop services for dementia victims and their families. She was the first Director of the Brain Impaired Adult Resource Center, a state funded program for caregivers of brain-impaired adults. After a two-year stint in the Peace Corps she became a hospice nurse. She was introduced to Compassion & Choices by her son, a lawyer working for Oregon’s death with dignity. She became California’s director of end of life consultation, supervising two groups of volunteers who counseled clients about end of life choices. van Aelstyn retired two years ago, and now works as a C&C volunteer.